Evangelical United Evangelical United Brethren ChurchBrethren Church

Origins, History, Origins, History, TraditionsTraditions

Evangelical United Brethren Evangelical United Brethren ChurchChurch

The United Brethren Church and the The United Brethren Church and the Evangelical Church merge in 1946 to form Evangelical Church merge in 1946 to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church.the Evangelical United Brethren Church.

From what traditions did these two From what traditions did these two denominations arise?denominations arise?

United Brethren United Brethren From the Pietist movement in the mid to From the Pietist movement in the mid to late 1700's among German speaking folk late 1700's among German speaking folk in Pennsylvania. There was a fervor of in Pennsylvania. There was a fervor of spiritual awakening sweeping through spiritual awakening sweeping through Lancaster County in the 1760's. Many of Lancaster County in the 1760's. Many of these individuals professed the necessity these individuals professed the necessity of holiness and especially the assurance of holiness and especially the assurance of "new birth" conversion as a real of "new birth" conversion as a real experience to be remembered. experience to be remembered.

United Brethren LeadersUnited Brethren Leaders

Spearheading the movement were two Spearheading the movement were two evangelistic preachers of very different evangelistic preachers of very different backgrounds. backgrounds.

One was Philip William Otterbein, a One was Philip William Otterbein, a German Reformed minister who came from German Reformed minister who came from Germany in 1752. He discovered that formal Germany in 1752. He discovered that formal religious practices were the common standard in religious practices were the common standard in the American colonies. His training and the American colonies. His training and subsequent heart change prompted him to subsequent heart change prompted him to preach a message based on a deeper, life-preach a message based on a deeper, life-transforming spiritual experience.transforming spiritual experience.

United Brethren LeadersUnited Brethren Leaders

Martin Boehm was the other man. He Martin Boehm was the other man. He came from the Mennonite faith, and had came from the Mennonite faith, and had been selected by lot to be a preacher been selected by lot to be a preacher among his people. Initially, Boehm felt that among his people. Initially, Boehm felt that he had no message to present, but that he had no message to present, but that changed when he had a personal changed when he had a personal experience of God's saving grace through experience of God's saving grace through faith. Then Boehm became a flaming faith. Then Boehm became a flaming evangelist, proclaiming the salvation evangelist, proclaiming the salvation experience wherever he had the chance.experience wherever he had the chance.

United Brethren LeadersUnited Brethren Leaders Both Otterbein and Boehm did extensive Both Otterbein and Boehm did extensive

evangelistic preaching in inter-denominational evangelistic preaching in inter-denominational gatherings. However, they didn't meet until gatherings. However, they didn't meet until Pentecost Sunday, 1767. A "great meeting" was Pentecost Sunday, 1767. A "great meeting" was held that day in the barn of Isaac Long near held that day in the barn of Isaac Long near Lancaster, Pa. These great meetings were Lancaster, Pa. These great meetings were usually held over weekends in groves, barns, or usually held over weekends in groves, barns, or wherever a large congregation could assemble. wherever a large congregation could assemble. The congregation in Long's barn included The congregation in Long's barn included preachers and laypersons from various preachers and laypersons from various denominations, including the German Reformed, denominations, including the German Reformed, Lutheran, Moravian, Mennonite, Amish, and Lutheran, Moravian, Mennonite, Amish, and Dunker groups. Dunker groups.

United Brethren LeadersUnited Brethren Leaders Martin Boehm preached that afternoon. Martin Boehm preached that afternoon.

Otterbein was so thrilled with Boehm's powerful Otterbein was so thrilled with Boehm's powerful message that this man of great stature threw his message that this man of great stature threw his arms around the diminutive Boehm and arms around the diminutive Boehm and exclaimed in German, "Wir sind bruder!", which exclaimed in German, "Wir sind bruder!", which in English translates as, "We are brethren!" in English translates as, "We are brethren!" They were different in many ways--in They were different in many ways--in background, appearance, and some aspects of background, appearance, and some aspects of theology--but Otterbein realized they were alike theology--but Otterbein realized they were alike in the areas which really counted.in the areas which really counted.

From that enthusiastic greeting came the From that enthusiastic greeting came the name "United Brethren." name "United Brethren."

United BrethrenUnited Brethren

There appears to be no formal structure to There appears to be no formal structure to the United Brethren until 1800, when they the United Brethren until 1800, when they officially organized themselves near officially organized themselves near Frederick, Maryland. In order to distinguish Frederick, Maryland. In order to distinguish themselves from the Moravians who were themselves from the Moravians who were also called United Brethren from their Latin also called United Brethren from their Latin title title Unitas FratrumUnitas Fratrum, they appended the , they appended the words "in Christ." words "in Christ."

The Church ExpandsThe Church Expands Otterbein and Boehm elected as bishops. Both Otterbein and Boehm elected as bishops. Both

men were 74 years old when chosen. Boehm men were 74 years old when chosen. Boehm served until his death in 1812, and Otterbein served until his death in 1812, and Otterbein served until his death in 1813. served until his death in 1813.

Between 1800 and 1815, meetings were Between 1800 and 1815, meetings were held annually. However, ministers in Ohio felt held annually. However, ministers in Ohio felt that, because of distance, it would be better to that, because of distance, it would be better to hold meetings less often. So beginning in 1815, hold meetings less often. So beginning in 1815, a "General Conference" was held every two a "General Conference" was held every two years, with regional "annual conferences" held years, with regional "annual conferences" held every year. Since 1821, General Conferences every year. Since 1821, General Conferences have been held every four years.have been held every four years.

The Church ExpandsThe Church Expands Christian Newcomer was elected bishop in 1813. Under his Christian Newcomer was elected bishop in 1813. Under his

leadership, the loose evangelistic fellowship became a more leadership, the loose evangelistic fellowship became a more organized movement. And the church grew rapidly.organized movement. And the church grew rapidly.

As the young nation expanded westward, so did the church, As the young nation expanded westward, so did the church, with hundreds of new churches starting. People who had been with hundreds of new churches starting. People who had been associated with United Brethren in the east migrated west and associated with United Brethren in the east migrated west and settled in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. In the mid-1820s, Newcomer settled in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. In the mid-1820s, Newcomer spearheaded the establishment of churches in Canada, taking the spearheaded the establishment of churches in Canada, taking the church into another country for the first time.church into another country for the first time.

In those early years, services were conducted almost In those early years, services were conducted almost exclusively in the German language. The congregations were led by exclusively in the German language. The congregations were led by "circuit-riding" preachers who might have responsibility for a dozen "circuit-riding" preachers who might have responsibility for a dozen or more churches. or more churches.

HoffmanitesHoffmanites

A Pennsylvania group of United Brethren A Pennsylvania group of United Brethren ministers and laymen under Rev. George ministers and laymen under Rev. George Hoffman, broke away in the late 1860's Hoffman, broke away in the late 1860's over doctrinal issues. First known as over doctrinal issues. First known as "Hoffmanites," they later organized in 1878 "Hoffmanites," they later organized in 1878 as the United Christian Church. as the United Christian Church.

Great Split of 1889Great Split of 1889

By 1889, the United Brethren Church had By 1889, the United Brethren Church had grown to over 200,000 members, with six grown to over 200,000 members, with six bishops and a full-blown denominational bishops and a full-blown denominational structure. But then controversy arose, and structure. But then controversy arose, and eventually a division occurred. eventually a division occurred.

Great Split of 1889Great Split of 1889 Several General Conferences discussed proposed Several General Conferences discussed proposed

changes regarding three major issues: allowing changes regarding three major issues: allowing proportional representation at General Conference proportional representation at General Conference (rather than a set number of delegates for each (rather than a set number of delegates for each conference, regardless of size), allowing lay conference, regardless of size), allowing lay representation at General Conference (instead of representation at General Conference (instead of ministers only), and permitting church members to also ministers only), and permitting church members to also be members of secret societies (previously forbidden). In be members of secret societies (previously forbidden). In 1889, the General Conference delegates voted to 1889, the General Conference delegates voted to change the Constitution's requirements concerning these change the Constitution's requirements concerning these issues. However, they chose to ignore the proper issues. However, they chose to ignore the proper procedures for doing so, as spelled out in the procedures for doing so, as spelled out in the Constitution, which stated that no changes could be Constitution, which stated that no changes could be made in the Constitution without a majority vote of all made in the Constitution without a majority vote of all United Brethren members.United Brethren members.

The Great SplitThe Great Split

A segment of the General Conference, led by A segment of the General Conference, led by Bishop Milton Wright (father of the Wright Bishop Milton Wright (father of the Wright Brothers), left the General Conference meeting Brothers), left the General Conference meeting and resumed the session in another part of the and resumed the session in another part of the city. They declared that the other delegates had city. They declared that the other delegates had withdrawn from the denomination by adopting a withdrawn from the denomination by adopting a different Constitution. different Constitution.

This brought into existence two fellowships This brought into existence two fellowships operating under the name "Church of the United operating under the name "Church of the United Brethren in Christ." Brethren in Christ."

Onward to MergerOnward to Merger

The majority group became known as the The majority group became known as the "Church of the United Brethren in Christ (New "Church of the United Brethren in Christ (New Constitution)," with headquarters in Dayton, Constitution)," with headquarters in Dayton, Ohio. They were also known as the "liberal" Ohio. They were also known as the "liberal" United Brethren. This group united with the United Brethren. This group united with the Evangelical Association in 1946 to form the Evangelical Association in 1946 to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The Evangelical United Brethren Church. The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged in 1968 to form the Brethren Church merged in 1968 to form the United Methodist Church.United Methodist Church.

Evangelical Association: OriginsEvangelical Association: Origins In 1785, Jacob and Catharine Albright married In 1785, Jacob and Catharine Albright married

and established their home at Fry’s Mill near and established their home at Fry’s Mill near Hahnstown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Hahnstown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They affiliated with the nearby Bergstrasse They affiliated with the nearby Bergstrasse Lutheran Church and occasionally had contact Lutheran Church and occasionally had contact with itinerant Reformed Church evangelists, with itinerant Reformed Church evangelists, Revs. William Otterbein and Anthony Houtz. In Revs. William Otterbein and Anthony Houtz. In 1790, several of Albright’s children died of 1790, several of Albright’s children died of dysentery and he and Mrs. Albright asked Rev. dysentery and he and Mrs. Albright asked Rev. Houtz to preach the funeral sermons. Albright Houtz to preach the funeral sermons. Albright was deeply affected by Houtz’s evangelistic was deeply affected by Houtz’s evangelistic preaching and eventually surrendered his life to preaching and eventually surrendered his life to Christ. Christ.

Evangelical Association: OriginsEvangelical Association: Origins

Albright yielded to God’s call to ministry. Albright yielded to God’s call to ministry. He writes "I began my travels in the year He writes "I began my travels in the year

1796 in the month of October in order to 1796 in the month of October in order to obey the call of God in proclaiming his obey the call of God in proclaiming his holy will as revealed in the Gospel." holy will as revealed in the Gospel." (Albright, Raymond W. (Albright, Raymond W. A History of the A History of the Evangelical ChurchEvangelical Church, p. 43) , p. 43)

Evangelical Association: OriginsEvangelical Association: Origins

Many homes were opened to Albright as Many homes were opened to Albright as "preaching places" and Albright boldly preached "preaching places" and Albright boldly preached the Gospel. By 1800, Albright had formed three the Gospel. By 1800, Albright had formed three classes (small groups of believers engaged in classes (small groups of believers engaged in Bible study, prayer and spiritual accountability) Bible study, prayer and spiritual accountability) with approximately 20 believers. By 1803, the with approximately 20 believers. By 1803, the number had grown to five classes with 40 number had grown to five classes with 40 believers. Men and women, even entire believers. Men and women, even entire households, had been brought to faith in Christ households, had been brought to faith in Christ under the preaching and oversight of Albright. under the preaching and oversight of Albright.

Evangelical AssociationEvangelical Association

The newly organized church, the The newly organized church, the Evangelical Association, grew as Evangelical Association, grew as preachers were sent to cities and villages preachers were sent to cities and villages to preach the Gospel.to preach the Gospel.

By 1875, the Evangelical Association had By 1875, the Evangelical Association had more than 95,000 members. By 1891, the more than 95,000 members. By 1891, the number of church members had grown to number of church members had grown to 150,000. 150,000.

Evangelical AssociationEvangelical Association

Personal piety marked the development of Personal piety marked the development of the denomination. Albright chose the the denomination. Albright chose the Methodist class structure as the Methodist class structure as the organizational structure of the Evangelical organizational structure of the Evangelical Association. From its beginning, church Association. From its beginning, church tradition emphasized the necessity of a tradition emphasized the necessity of a growing devotion to Christ as evidenced growing devotion to Christ as evidenced by prayer, Bible study and spiritual by prayer, Bible study and spiritual accountability. These class meetings accountability. These class meetings eventually became prayer meetings. eventually became prayer meetings.

Evangelical AssociationEvangelical Association

Albright’s close association with Albright’s close association with Methodism brought the doctrine of Methodism brought the doctrine of Christian perfection or holiness to the Christian perfection or holiness to the denomination’s discipline, where it is denomination’s discipline, where it is described as "one of the cherished described as "one of the cherished doctrines of the Evangelical doctrines of the Evangelical Congregational Church." Congregational Church."

Christian PerfectionChristian Perfection ““Entire Sanctification, or Christian perfection, is a state of Entire Sanctification, or Christian perfection, is a state of

righteousness and true holiness, which every regenerate righteousness and true holiness, which every regenerate believer may attain. It consists in being cleansed from all believer may attain. It consists in being cleansed from all sin, loving God with all the heart, soul, mind, and sin, loving God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving neighbor as oneself. strength, and loving neighbor as oneself.

This gracious state of perfect love is attainable in this life This gracious state of perfect love is attainable in this life by faith, both gradually and instantaneously, and should by faith, both gradually and instantaneously, and should be earnestly sought by every child of God; but it does not be earnestly sought by every child of God; but it does not deliver us from the infirmities, ignorance and mistakes deliver us from the infirmities, ignorance and mistakes which are common to man." which are common to man."

(Discipline, Article of Faith 111) (Discipline, Article of Faith 111)

Christian PerfectionChristian Perfection

The preaching and teaching of this doctrine The preaching and teaching of this doctrine received renewed emphasis with the founding of received renewed emphasis with the founding of the National Camp Meeting Association for the the National Camp Meeting Association for the Promotion of Holiness. The first such holiness Promotion of Holiness. The first such holiness camp meeting was held at Vineland, New Jersey camp meeting was held at Vineland, New Jersey in 1867. In 1868, the holiness camp meeting in 1867. In 1868, the holiness camp meeting was held in Manheim, Pennsylvania and 25,000 was held in Manheim, Pennsylvania and 25,000 people attended including 300 ministers. Many people attended including 300 ministers. Many ministers and laity of the Evangelical Association ministers and laity of the Evangelical Association were in attendance thus accounting for the were in attendance thus accounting for the renewed emphasis of the doctrine. renewed emphasis of the doctrine.

Schism of 1887Schism of 1887 At the General Conference of the Evangelical At the General Conference of the Evangelical

Association, a major issue promotes a splitting Association, a major issue promotes a splitting of the denomination. of the denomination.

Bishop J. J. Esher wrote an article criticizing the Bishop J. J. Esher wrote an article criticizing the Japan mission. Japan mission.

Rev. H. B. Hartzler, editor of the church’s Rev. H. B. Hartzler, editor of the church’s magazine, refused to print the article. magazine, refused to print the article.

Esher responded by bringing Hartzler to church Esher responded by bringing Hartzler to church trial "for unchristian conduct, official misconduct trial "for unchristian conduct, official misconduct and grievous offense as minister and as editor of and grievous offense as minister and as editor of our church." our church."

Schism of 1887Schism of 1887

The trial consumed 11 days of the 27 day The trial consumed 11 days of the 27 day conference. Hartzler was found guilty by a vote conference. Hartzler was found guilty by a vote of 57 to 47. This vote was by ministers only. No of 57 to 47. This vote was by ministers only. No lay delegates were present at the General lay delegates were present at the General Conference. Conference.

Pastors and laity either identified with the Pastors and laity either identified with the majority, commonly called "The Esherites", or majority, commonly called "The Esherites", or the minority, commonly called "The Dubsites" the minority, commonly called "The Dubsites" (so named for Bishop Rudolf Dubs, the leader of (so named for Bishop Rudolf Dubs, the leader of the minority party). the minority party).

Schism of 1887Schism of 1887

Lying behinds the scenes were a series of Lying behinds the scenes were a series of conflicts:conflicts:Use of German (favored by Majority)Use of German (favored by Majority)Episcopal Authority (favored by Majority)Episcopal Authority (favored by Majority)Theological Conservatism (Minority)Theological Conservatism (Minority)Sectionalism (Favored by Minority)Sectionalism (Favored by Minority)Old versus New Immigrants (Majority Old versus New Immigrants (Majority

welcomed new immigrants into the welcomed new immigrants into the movement)movement)

Schism leads to SplitSchism leads to Split In 1891, both parties called for General In 1891, both parties called for General

Conference. "The Esherites" met in Indianapolis Conference. "The Esherites" met in Indianapolis while "The Dubsites" met in Philadelphia. The while "The Dubsites" met in Philadelphia. The authority of the majority party prevailed and the authority of the majority party prevailed and the ministers and congregations that supported the ministers and congregations that supported the minority party were excluded from the minority party were excluded from the denomination. These congregations lost their denomination. These congregations lost their church buildings since the buildings were owned church buildings since the buildings were owned by the denomination. Efforts to reconcile the by the denomination. Efforts to reconcile the parties failed and, by 1894, the minority party parties failed and, by 1894, the minority party had reorganized into a new denomination, the had reorganized into a new denomination, the United Evangelical Church. United Evangelical Church.

Healing the SchismHealing the Schism

1922 sees the reunion of majority-led 1922 sees the reunion of majority-led Evangelical Association with the minority Evangelical Association with the minority founded United Evangelical Church.founded United Evangelical Church.

Adopt new name: The Evangelical Church.Adopt new name: The Evangelical Church.Had strong oversees involvement in Had strong oversees involvement in

Germany.Germany.

Bringing the Two TogetherBringing the Two Together

The Evangelical United Brethren Church The Evangelical United Brethren Church was formed November 16,1946 in was formed November 16,1946 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Represented decades-long discussion of Represented decades-long discussion of merger between the United Brethren and merger between the United Brethren and Evangelical Church.Evangelical Church.